2nd Integrated FIMO
Meeting '08

November 19-21, 2008
East Asia Royale Hotel
General Santos City

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III (4th from  left) leads the  Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of Diethyl Carbamazine & Albendazole  during the Kick-Off Ceremony of Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program held in Lambunao , Iloilo City. The said MDA, which started last October 13, was launched at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol during the observance of the Department of Health’s Garantisadong Pambata Week. Also in photo are Dr. Ariel I. Valencia, OIC  Director CHD-WV,  DOH-NCDPC Dir. Yolanda Oliveros and   Lambunao, Iloilo Mayor Reynor Gonzalez.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that the public can soon expect more low-priced drugs and medicines in the market now that the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Cheaper Medicine Act has already been signed.

The Department of Health (DOH), led by Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, today signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Universally Accessible and Affordable Quality Medicines Act of 2008 otherwise known as the "Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008". Standing from left to right are Project Management Unit Manager Dr. Robert Louie So, Intellectual Property Bureau of Patents Director Epifanio Evasco, Health Assistant Secretary Lydia Fernandez, Undersecretary Jade del Mundo, Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan, Undersecretary David Lozada, Undersecretary Mario Villaverde, and Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial. Also in photo seated form left are Intellectual Property Office Deputy Director General Atty.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III in a huddle with Undersecretary Alexander Padilla, Center for Health Development Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, and Project Management Unit (PMU) Manager Dr. Robert Louie So during the 4th Public Hearing on Cheaper Medicines Bill held in Dagupan City recently. Duque stressed that the Department of Health is doing everything to make medicines more affordable and accessible to all, especially the poor, while calling for a unified action from all sectors to implement the Bill.